As Heather Stimmler-Hall states on her website
"This isn't your grandmother's guide book" -- she wasn't kidding.
NAUGHTY PARIS is by far one of the best guidebooks I've read and it exceeds expectations in the execution of the book. Not only is it informative, intelligent, and eloquently written, it gives you real insight on Paris, the City of Light. Sexy flows through the pages and confirms the idea that you can make your own romance if you dare to utilize her suggestions.
Since Heather is currently on a US tour, I had the pleasure of speaking with her while she was in NY. She has proven that perserverance, a lot of hard work and determination goes a long way. The proof is in the final product. Speaking to her made me want to return to Paris and brought me back to those years I had the pleasure of indulging. If I had the guidebook then, I would have taken advantage of exploring the city further. She stirred memories that will help me adequately describe in my current contemporary set in Paris.
If you have never owned a guidebook, you might want to consider picking this one up because it works well as both a guidebook and author's reference book. I'm already looking forward to purchasing her future guidebooks to line my shelf :)
As a part of your participation, I'm giving away an autographed copy of Naughty Paris. All you have to do is comment on this post and your name is going to be in the drawing. I don't think this is one free giveaway a person should pass up on!
And now, the interview with Heather Stimmler-Hall....
You have an extensive and impressive background in travel writing. How did you get started and did you always know you wanted to write?I studied journalism and worked at magazines and newspapers while I was in college, so I have a pretty traditional background as a generalist. I didn’t specifically do travel writing until I was at ELLE.com.
How did you enjoy working for Elle.com as a travel editor?The world of fashion is very different from the world of news, lol! I liked having the chance to write about travel for such a well known website, but at the same time I also realized right away that I didn’t like combining work and vacation; there’s really too much work involved in researching and writing good travel pieces to be able to relax and enjoy it on vacation. I only write about where I live now.
What propelled you to move to Paris and do private tours?I moved to Paris as a student, about three years before I eventually worked at ELLE. I went freelance in 2000 and moved to the Riviera for almost four years. When I moved back to Paris in 2004 I felt like I needed a break from my writing and felt the need to connect with the people I was writing for so I got a job giving tours for other companies for about a year before doing my own thing. It seems that’s my professional path in life – work for someone else, decide I can do it better, and voila, I work for myself.
You lead private tours through the city, how are your clientele and their reaction to some of the locales you take them to? Are they specifically requested. Not sure I get this question. I do custom tours, specifically planned for each client. So there is always an idea from them what they want to see and do. I really enjoy it when they tell me they feel like they never would have experienced the city in the same way on their own.
What made you want to write Naughty Paris? What gave you the inspiration to move ahead with this?I had a lot of readers of my Secrets of Paris newsletter (which I’ve been writing since 1999) ask me about the naughtier side of Paris, and was convinced a book in English would find an audience. There is already a guide in French but it’s more hard core and written for men. I really wanted to have a female focused guide because I think women have a special relationship with Paris that men don’t. We are inspired by the history, the fashion, the beauty and atmosphere of the city. It’s not just about sex; it’s a city where women are encouraged to embrace their inherent sexiness.
How difficult was it for you to get this book launched? Did you encounter any pitfalls along the way?It took over three years to do the guide. There were many false starts, changes in the tone and content of the book, a co-author who eventually backed out to work on her novel, and the ups and downs with finding an agent and looking for a good publishing deal. I eventually, as usual, thought I could do it better myself and started a small publishing company in Paris. It took awhile and more false starts, but eventually I got together the team that worked on the book with me, including the photographer (Kirsten Loop from Toronto), the designers (TheBookDesigners from San Francisco) and a team of editors. My friends volunteered to model for the guide, and many friends gave me the encouragement and advice I needed; I’m lucky to have many friends in publishing! Since I ended up doing all of the text in the end, it did take longer than I thought it would, often taking a backseat to my own travel writing and guiding work.
What demographic do you want to target in writing this travel guide since it’s not a typical one a traveler would find?I wrote it for English-speaking women who love Paris, whether they go all of the time or just dream of it. The guide targets the “Sex & the City” generation of women – 35-55 years old – who are confident, independent, a little sassy, a little daring….women who want to have fun, but still remain ladies, lol!
Your book is amazing and insightful. It’s eloquently written. I noticed some of your venues are private clubs that are quite risqué. Did you do research in these places?I visited every place before I put it in the guide. That’s a must in the travel industry. Some writers try to research online, but if you want your guide to be useful to your readers, you have to speak from experience. Having said that, “research” doesn’t mean “participating”. ;)
Did you go to the clubs for the first time and what was the experience like? How did the regular clients view your attendance?I had never visited these clubs before I started researching the guide, and you usually need to be in a couple to visit them. Luckily I found a couple of regulars who know the owners of these clubs, so they got me in and showed me around. People were very polite and respectful. I was often invited to participate – everyone spots the new girl quickly in these clubs – but no one pressures you if you prefer to watch.
Did you know about any of these venues in Paris or was it an interesting discovery through others?I always knew these places existed. They are in every district in Paris and not at all hidden. I had simply never been inside.
I enjoyed the breakdowns and bits of history. It gives the book a very unique spin. Your observations on the French men are entertaining. What misconceptions would you like to clarify that most Americans might view the French?I think the American view of flirting makes us assume that sex is the goal, but even though the French love to flirt, it’s not always because they want to sleep with you. Sometimes it’s just for fun, a form of polite flattery.
You are currently on a book tour, how are people receiving your travel guide?I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback, but obviously most people were more focused on election day, lol! I have three more events in NY, Philly and DC, and there are already a lot of people who have RSVPd, so that’s promising. All of the parties (they’re in cocktail bars instead of bookstores) are listed on my website’s events page (www.naughtyparisguide.com).
I found this travel guide more than just a guide but a reference book. The information is very specific and your research can help bring a reality to the author’s story. As a romance writer, I found this book to be useful in guiding me to research online. What are your tips on how it may help a writer who is researching about Paris?I would recommend not only visiting, but reading as many contemporary novels set in Paris as possible (unless you’re writing historic romances, of course). French magazines can be helpful, like ELLE and Vogue, if you read French. And if you’re going to mention specific streets and a character’s drive or walk along a certain route, check a map! Dan Brown got a lot of simple geography wrong in DaVinci Code, lol!
What are your plans for the future? Any more Naughty guides? I’m still working on getting Naughty Paris out there, but I have started looking for writers for Naughty London and Naughty New York. I may also do a special collection of Naughty Paris stories contributed by women who have come to Paris and used the book…if there are any of you out there already, send them to me at naughtyparis@gmail.com
Any advice for people who would like to do freelance writing? How can they get started?I got into freelancing the old fashioned way, by working first as a staff writer and editor. You can’t work from home that way, but it gives you the legitimacy and the contacts that make freelancing so much easier. It never hurts to take some writing classes in the field you’re interested in as well, but stick with established schools with solid reputations and avoid at all costs any classes that try and sell you the “get paid to travel!” myth. It’s a real job, travel writing, and hobbyists who are just into it for the freebies never get very far.
Any last plugs for your readers?If you’re in Paris, check the websites, both
www.naughtyparisguide.com and www.secretsofparis.com for events. I usually host at least one ladies happy hour each month, and it’s a great way to meet a mix of locals and tourists.
Any advice for aspiring writers?Read, read, read lots of good writing. It can’t help but rub off on you. ;)
Man, is the winner in for a treat or what?!!! 
I can think of one other time in my life when I got my purse stolen and everything I owned was in that thing..that was over a decade ago and I still didn't learn my lesson. Now I've seen a repeat of past mistakes. On Thanksgiving Day, I was rushing around getting last minute items I must have dropped my wallet or gotten pick-pocketed. It's the holidays and in the hustle and bustle of the festivities, you don't pay attention as you should. Granted I'm a moron for putting all my ID in there. I had shopping $$$$, my SS, insurance card, and credit cards in it as well. Normally I don't carry my SS card. I should have followed my instincts and put it away a few weeks ago but I just never remembered to do it. Okay, I should be really pissed that I spent a whole day trying to get new ID, file a police report, call all the credit agencies--only to discover nothing was open due to the holidays, so I have to wait until Monday to get things sorted out. I think because of the financial crisis, the holidays...my stupidity will make me an easy target for identity theft. Basically, I handed all my life data to some random stranger, including my bank account info! I was hoping some Good Samaritan will mail it back to me (one can dream). At least I was able to freeze my bank account :) 
BREAKING NEWS...I can't believe it! I've arrived. Sniff..sniff. What a great holiday present for me!
For many years my parents used to host a traditional Thanksgiving feast when all our family members would be present. I would say a little more than 50 people were in attendance and these family gatherings were pretty extravagant. Not to mention how blitzed I would get drinking the alcohol but isn't that what the holiday's are about? :) Okay, we would have every kind of holiday food imaginable, from the turkey to mashed potato to the cranberry sauce to the sweet potato pie...there would be plenty of extras for the next month! Unfortunately, over the years, my older siblings started their own traditions with their own families--and someday, so will I. It's sad to think that we let our traditions fade...When I look back, those were the happiest times of my life, to share in the laughter while we prepared the food, enjoying the actual intimate dinner, and just being surrounded by family. People we wouldn't see except once a year. When I think about those days of old, I realize that as we grow older we tend to forget those little things that made those events so memorable. 
I've got a month to pack all my stuff in between writing deadlines and holidays. Moving is always exciting but the actual putting things in boxes, tossing things out, trying to fight your way through a messy room is disastrous. I wish I could snap my fingers and it's all done. Unfortunately, the reality is that I have to do it all myself. At least I'm getting to do it in stages. The last two times I moved, I had a little under a week to pack ten years of junk. Needless to say, I dumped a lot of stuff but now I find myself looking at more stuff I've managed to pick up along the way. I will confess now--I'm a pack rat! There, I've said it. I'm not so proud of this fact but I'm trying to do away with anything that I can. The problem is that I want to hold on to everything. It's not a good thing. I have a love of collecting office supplies and writing materials. I'm not including cases and cases of books I've saved and I bet I haven't read most of the books. With my busy schedule I put everything aside but there's never enough time to sit down and enjoy a book like before I was published. I'm not even going to attempt to read 50 books in a year. I can barely get through 10! Sadly, someday I will read again but the constant need to produce for deadlines can leave me weary. 
So I'm one to google myself to see if there are any book reviews I've submitted and didn't get notification on...and on one such occasion I came across a really nasty post in some forum about me. This person sounded like a total vindictive, paranoid, and vicious person who just wanted to target me because they thought they were entitled to. So they said a lot of mean things without really even knowing me. I know that when I'm pissed off about someone, I email or confront them in a professional manner. Okay, I was ticked off that they were bashing me, then they bashed my books and told everyone not to buy my books. I think it's petty and immature, frankly. I am probably one of the nicest person anyone's ever met. I'm not saying I'm flawed--contrary, I'm completely flawed, but I wonder what goes into the mind of a person who is so filled with hate. So filled with anger that they forget to stop to think that what they are truly upset about is that I might be right. I'm not naming names and I'm not saying where I found this 'Jax bashing' but I was furious, then I felt sorry for them. I think that people often forget that there are millions and millions of people in the world that may have the same talents or even surpass us in the talent department, but we can't lash out on one person and not investigate into a hundred others who are capable of doing the same thing we do. I think they think too highly of themselves if they believe they are the ONLY one capable of doing what they do. I guess it bothered me because there is always someone out there ready to bring you down to their level. There's always someone out there ready to rain on your parade in whatever stage of your life. It's sad. For me, I try to let it roll off my shoulders. I try to step away from angry confrontations because it's not worth the effort and energy to go back and forth on things I find ridiculous. I'm a fair person and I know that you can hate me all you want -- but my advice is the next time someone truly want to lash out at me, they should look at their own reflection in the mirror because I'm not going to allow them to let anger consume me. I've got other important things to do with my life than stew on the unimportant things!
Have you ever woken up from a dream all panicked? Your heart is pumping, racing so fast you can't seem to control the stress you're feeling. You're disoriented and can't tell if it was really a dream or your fears surfacing. I had that moment yesterday. It hit me hard--now that I have a SuperFab agent, the rules of the game has suddenly changed dramatically. NY is a tougher market: they want tighter manuscripts, more prolific authors, and they want you to be on top of your game at all times. Small press is a great launching pad to help you get a feel of what the real deal might be...but is anyone ever prepared? While I was hyperventillating and wondering if my writing was tight enough, good enough...something clicked. Although I've seen it coming for a long time now, I have witnessed first hand what all my girlfriends have been experiencing. I've held my breath waiting for any tips and bits of info to help prepare me for when that day came. Believe me, I'm SO grateful that I was chosen, and now I'm going to have to prove to the world that I earned this spot! Okay, I see that my author friends are busier, more stressed, and always on deadline, but I'm not complaining one bit. I'm taking notes and I'm going into this knowing that maybe in a few short months or more, when I do get that big contract, I'll be prepared. I'm shedding those fears and I say "Bring it on!" 
It's official and I can announce that I am now represented by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency!!!!!
I was bit by the acting bug at about eight years old when my sister and I were picked out at a restaurant to do a local NBC ad campaign that worked towards getting a SAG card. Unfortunately, I don't know what's become out of the project, but it was a paying gig and got us local representation. Don't ask me who, I can't even remember that far back! Over the years, I did tons of extra work, class plays, small productions. At the time there were a lot less Asian American actors and if there were, it was primarily for Disney and other shows that needed to show diversity. In these national and international campaigns, they always made sure the minorities were grouped together and if not, they always paired me with an African American guy. My sister and I did a huge campaign for Disney's videos in Epcot. I don't know if they've changed out the safety videos but if they didn't, you'll see a very very young Jax in almost all them...when I hit my teens, I wanted to pursue acting full-time but my parents thought it was simply a hobby. I am one of those people who doesn't like to be told I can't succeed in any profession. In a few weeks time, I was a leading extra..doesn't sound like much, but there weren't roles I could audition for being Asian. I was feature as 'the student' in the Mickey Mouse Club and its spin-off, Emerald Cove. I would work weeks at a time and whenever a movie rolled into town, they would call me to come in to work. I was a working extra. I know, it's not so glamorous sounding, but it was so much fun for a teen. To get paid was a bonus because the excitement was in standing in front of the camera and meeting your favorite teen actors on a daily basis. The gigs kept coming and I kept making money during the summers and on weekends doing this stuff.
When I was seventeen I met John Ritter. He changed my life.
Wow, the excitement hasn't died down since my release yesterday but I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have purchased my books. I had a discussion with my girlfriend about the ups and downs of writing for a small press yesterday and during the process I discovered something remarkable. First off, I LOVE my publisher Parker Publishing. They have given me opportunities that have opened doors and opportunities. They believed in my writing abilities and they allowed me a creative freedom I've only dreamed about. Their unwavering support has made it possible for domestic and international readers to discover me. It's been a hard road for us and I'm proud to write for them. Due to the economy, not long ago we were told that our books would no longer receive in-store distribution due to our small press status. I know that our print runs are a maximum of 6,000 books versus a 85,000 to 100,000 print run in NY, but IMHO, it's disturbing to know that bookstores would deny the world of authors, such as myself. Maybe I don't move units like Nora Roberts or Sherrilyn Kenyon or Suzanne Brockmann, but we aren't allowed the opportunities to acquire that new readership when the very people who should want to help authors are turning their backs on us. The promo process is a trying and frustrating one, but I wasn't going to let the big chain stores not take notice. I was going to campaign and show that a small time author like myself can count. I would make it count. As I was researching, I discovered that Barnes and Noble, Borders and a few small chain bookstores were carrying my books in-house! What does that tell me? 1. A small time author can make a difference 2. Promo-ing does pay off if you keep at it 3. The Community Relations person at the individual bookstores are ordering my books based on my book blurbs, word-of-mouth and pre-orders. 
SQUEE! Let's celebrate! I'm in the mood to give away a great prize to celebrate my first single title release of ART OF SENSUALITY! 
Before I start on my topic at hand...you can read my latest article on the Killer Fiction blog. Also, Romance Junkies is giving away my book (which I will autograph)!
Some days you feel like playing dress up. In this case, I like to bribe my nephew into posing for me. He's a good sport for about the first 10 minutes and then he's got a mind of his own. Recently, his mother purchased several suits for special events and since it's been hanging in the closet, we thought we'd give a shot out to 007! See how smooth I am? This photo shoot ties in with the current release of QUANTUM OF SOLACE in which yummy Daniel Craig is the leading man. Sigh.
Isn't he such the heartbreaker? Sometimes when he opens his mouth I swear I'm talking to an adult. He's very perceptive and he's quite the prankster.
I told him to pull out his best 007 impression and here you have it!
I'M RELEASED...er, rather, my book is now available on Amazon, B&N and Borders online...
They say you need a vacation after a vacation and that's SO true! I just got back late last night and I can't seem to get back into the groove. I've been busy working on web updates and haven't even unpacked. The last time I took a trip it took me a full 3 weeks to unpack my suitcase. I'm a sad case! As most of you know, I'm moving...well, in the next month or so I'll be climbing onto a U-haul and taking myself to cowboy country. YeeHaw! Originally I was going up North but things changed, as usual, and I'll be owning a pair of cowgirl boots in no time at all. In the meantime, I'm trying to repress the urge to jump up and down because my book ART OF SENSUALITY will be out in 6 days! But apparently it's already available on Amazon...WOOHOO! I'm going be doing a HUMUNGOUS giveaway in honor of my first single title release with Parker Publishing. Feel free to ORDER my book on Amazon! :)
As Heather Stimmler-Hall states on her website "This isn't your grandmother's guide book" -- she wasn't kidding. NAUGHTY PARIS is by far one of the best guidebooks I've read and it exceeds expectations in the execution of the book. Not only is it informative, intelligent, and eloquently written, it gives you real insight on Paris, the City of Light. Sexy flows through the pages and confirms the idea that you can make your own romance if you dare to utilize her suggestions.
You have an extensive and impressive background in travel writing. How did you get started and did you always know you wanted to write?
NOT!
Don't miss tomorrow! I have had the honor of interviewing Heather Stimmler-Hall who wrote NAUGHTY PARIS, A Lady's Guide to the Sexy City ... not to be confused with Jina Bacarr's book (whom I totally adore!) 
This has been one of the biggest elections in our lifetime and may be the most memorable long after the new President is elected. We're seeing for the first time an African-American and a WOMAN running for political office! Let's not forget Hillary starting off with the intitial campaigning. How amazing is that? Things that I had only believed would happen one day has happened! I don't know about you, but that's a milestone and will break ground for what is to come in our future. If you ask me, this is something to be proud of. One of the reasons why I haven't voiced my opinion is because I don't like to get too political. It's a personal choice and I don't want to offend either parties...but I will say that I hope to see a cohesiveness, a melding of cultures and a wider acceptance. I am looking at the angle of how beautiful it is that this is the first step in a new direction. A direction I hope will prove that there is but one color and that someday the world will be united. Okay, I'm not delusional. I know it will take a while to get to that place but this election proves that any AMERICAN has the right to run for political office. God Bless America!
